The last time this former West Ham United starlet scored a goal in a major European league, he found his effort overshadowed by a Dominic Calvert-Lewin hat-trick in a 5-2 defeat by Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.
While Calvert-Lewin’s revival at Leeds has been one of the stories of the current campaign, it still feels like a very long time since he was threatening to trouble the Golden Boot rankings.
As for the brief Carlo Ancelotti era at Goodison Park, David Moyes may have Everton on the right track again but the days when the Toffees were eyeing Champions League qualification under a legendary Real Madrid boss must now seem like a fever dream.
And for Grady Diangana, who scored his one and only Premier League goal that September 2020 afternoon shortly after leaving West Ham United for West Brom, he must have wondered if he would ever be setting foot in a top-flight competition again, let alone finding the net.
Which player were you most disappointed to see West Ham sell?
And how did you react when Diangana left?
Yet, shortly after West Brom opted against renewing his contract, Diangana was handed a La Liga lifeline in the shape of Elche. Five months and nine appearances later, the now-27-year-old winger had his first goal in a top-flight match since that COVID-era consolation on Merseyside.
Former West Ham United starlet Grady Diangana scores first La Liga goal for Elche
Diangana’s impact at Elche has been gradual, but ever-increasing.
The West Ham academy graduate was in ‘spectacular’ nick against Real Madrid during an enthralling 2-2 draw back in November. Sunday at the Mestalla, though, proved to be the setting for a genuine ‘welcome to the party’ moment on Spanish soil.
Off the bench, Diangana picked up possession just outside the Valencia penalty area. He set himself and whipped what Cadena Ser described as a ‘beautiful’ effort into the far corner with his left foot.
Funnily enough, there are undoubted similarities between this finish and the one which left Jordan Pickford grasping at thin air, his only two top-flight strikes coming six years apart.
“I’m really happy to be back playing and helping the team,” Diangana tells Diario AS. “It’s been a bit frustrating being in and out, but being back [in the team after a recent hamstring injury] was special.”
How much confidence does the win over QPR give you heading into Spurs? 👀
Oh, how sweet it would be to start to turn things around against them 😍
Diangana determined to kick on in Spain as a top-half finish beckons
Ironically enough, Diangana was linked with Valencia himself before putting pen to paper with Elche. A late penalty by Pepelu cancelled out his earlier stunner on Sunday, meaning it would be a point apiece between the ex-West Brom winger and his one-time Hawthorns head coach Carlos Corberan.
“Now, I feel good physically and mentally, and I want to give everything I can for the team,” adds Diangana, whose Elche side are up to ninth in the table but only six points above Valencia in 18th. “When I feel ready, I give it my all.
“I’ve come from England, with a different style of play and a new coach. I think my best is yet to come. I don’t know what my best form will be in this style of football, but I’m eager to show everyone what I can do.
“On an individual level, I want to be available as much as possible. When the coach needs me, I’ll be ready. And collectively, I want to continue growing as a team, focus on each match, and be able to play the way we need to against whoever we’re facing.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
